Pharmacology of Medical Cannabis

Summary & key facts

This 2019 review explains what is known about how medical cannabis works. The Cannabis plant makes about 540 natural compounds, more than 100 are called phytocannabinoids. The two main ones discussed are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), which causes psychoactive effects, and cannabidiol (CBD), which does not. The authors say these compounds can act on CB1 and CB2 receptors and may reduce pain, nausea, inflammation, and seizures, and might protect nerves. However, there are few well-controlled randomized clinical trials, and THC’s psychoactive side effects raise safety concerns. The authors call for more research now that some places have legalized cannabis.

Key facts:

• The Cannabis plant contains about 540 natural compounds, and more than 100 of these are classified as phytocannabinoids.
• The main psychoactive compound in cannabis is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC); the main non-psychoactive compound is cannabidiol (CBD).
• Δ9-THC and CBD interact with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and have been reported to have analgesic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, and potential neuroprotective effects.
• The review notes a lack of well-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials to clearly show how effective Δ9-THC or CBD are as medical treatments.
• The authors state that safety concerns about the psychoactive side effects of Δ9-THC limit its widespread clinical use.
• The review focuses on medical cannabis use for pain, epilepsy (seizures), and neurodegenerative diseases, and discusses possible biological mechanisms for pain and seizure relief.
• The authors say that legalization for medical or recreational use in some regions will make it easier to study the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of medical cannabis.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research Sleep and Wakefulness Research

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Cannabidiol Cannabinoid Cannabis Internal medicine Medicine Pharmacology Psychiatry Receptor Synthetic cannabinoids Tetrahydrocannabinol

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Chronic Pain Chronic pain